sru rocket 5-4-12

S ports

Campus L ife Two concerts, two nights

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Slippery Rock wide receiver signed with Baltimore Ravens

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Big Sean, Brantley Gilbert

The Rocket www.theonlinerocket.com

Friday, May 4, 2012

Slippery Rock University Student Newspaper

Est. 1934

Volume 95, Number 25

Students 'die' to protest budget cuts Media coverage at

SRU causes concern, inaccuracies reported

By Brian Brodeur News Editor

PHOTO BY ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET

Rebecca Marcucci participates in SGA and APSCUF's demonstration protesting budget cuts on Tuesday during common hour.

By Erica Kurvach Rocket Contributor

The Student Government Association (SGA) held a flashmob to spread the word about the proposed budget cuts to higher education at 12:15 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 1 in the quad.

In March, Governor Tom Corbett proposed a 20 percent cut to public higher education, including the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities.

Dr. Patrick Burkhart, the new president for the Association of

Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) and a full professor in the geography, geolog y, and the environment department, spoke at the event.

“I’m trying to energize students to get involved in political activism to reduce the costs of higher education,” Burkhart said.

Burkhart wants students to stop threats that will lower the overall quality of the university. Some of the threats he mentioned are academic services, classes, and even food services.

“Write to the governors and

representatives. We want no more cuts,” Burkhart said. “Study like your future depends upon it.”

At 12:15 p.m., students “dropped dead” and stayed “dead” until 12:30 p.m. Other students and faculty members held up poster signs and chanted along.

Michael McCarter, a junior history secondary education major, and SGA senator for North Hall, protested against Corbett’s budget cuts.

“There is less pie to go around,” McCarter said. “We’re trying to SEE STUDENTS PAGE A-2

SRU student allegedly raped behind Ginger Hill

By Catie Clark Rocket Contributor

A 20-year-old female student was allegedly raped by possibly two assailants between midnight and 1:30 a.m. Saturday behind Ginger Hill Tavern according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

The victim was examined at a local hospital and released following the alleged assault.

The exact location of the incident has yet to be determined, and the case is still under investigation.

Police have viewed surveillance footage from the establishment and re-interviewed the victim. No new information has been released.

This is the second reported alleged sexual assault to have taken place near Ginger Hill this year. Last semester, two SRU students were charged with rape after an alleged incident that took place in an apartment right behind the establishment.

According to Trooper Ronald D. Kesten, community services officer, the state police don’t think that any alleged sexual assaults that have occurred in Slippery Rock are connected.

“We don’t have any evidence to believe it is linked with any other assaults that have occurred in recent times,” Kesten said.

Rita Abent, Executive Director of Public Relations, said that the rumors and media coverage associated with the incident were partly because of parent involvement.

“A parent called a news station because of rumors, so initial reports turned out to be false,” Abent said. “We want students to notify their parents, but it is important to report the truth so that everyone can be safe and aware of the situation.”

According to Abent, part of her responsibilities include keeping up to date with the State Police, because they are the agency of record. They are investigating the case and the university has to wait until new information is made available to them by the police before they can share it with

the campus community.

Jodi Solito, Director of the Women’s Center, had no specific comment on the reported sexual assault itself, but did speak to the typical reaction people have to blame the university.

“I like to address the fact that there isn’t anything the university can do to protect students from these incidents because most of the time these incidents are committed by someone the victim knows, and in a private setting,” Solito said.

“Its not the typical thought with a stranger wielding a weapon,” Solito said, “That just isn’t how it happens.”

According to Solito, there is very little a person can do to prevent assault, and the goal of prevention should be to educate the perpetrator.

“When we talk about rape prevention, we talk to the men,” Solito said. “We call it risk reduction when we talk to women.”

According to Solito, while there isn’t SEE RAPE, PAGE A-3

One of the inaccurate reports that Abent talked about was that the victim was in critical condition.

While Abent did admit that the victim was taken to the hospital, it was only to be examined according to protocol in any police i nve s t i g at i on i nto an alleged rape or sexual assault.

The victim was released from the hospital directly after her examination, and was even in class on Monday.

“The media came out with a lot of unsubstantiated reporting over the weekend,” Abent said.

Slippery Rock University has received a lot of media attention this past week because a 20-yearold female student was reportedly raped by at least two individuals behind Ginger Hill Tavern in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to police reports.

While SRU has had reports of alleged rapes and sexual assaults in the past, including some earlier this year, there has never been this much media coverage surrounding the events. Throughout “It’s not like there t h is we ek , t h re e separate Pittsburgh news s t a t i o n s was a marauding have sent vans and running reporters to campus g a n g i n c lu d i n g W TA E ( c h a n n e l f o u r ) , through Slippery WPXI (channel 11), it and KDKA (channel Rock—which two).

This is giving the kind of sounded like university a lot of publicity in areas in the beginning,” w he re it u s u a l ly doesn’t receive any, Abent said. but it’s not good publicity according to Drew Silinski, a 20-yearAbent, like Silinski, also old business major and showed concern for the Pittsburgh native. perception of SRU to people “I can’t even tell you who might not have any how many calls and texts exposure to the university I’ve gotten this past week other than through the from my friends and family news. She pointed out the about this,” Silinski said. “It fact that most SRU students seems like the only times woke up and went about SRU gets any coverage is their business Friday night when something bad like and Saturday morning and this happens.” were perfectly fine isn’t Silinski went on to news. While she knows say how it is a little that the unusual and embarrassing that the only shocking material is what impressions his friends and makes news, she would’ve family get of his university liked to see a little more is that it’s not a safe place reporting before the story to be. was broadcasted.

Students aren’t the only “It becomes almost like people concerned with one-upsmanship to see who the media attention SRU can get more dramatic,” is receiving, according to Abent said. “It’s not like Rita Abent, the director of there was a marauding public relations at SRU. gang running through “I think that the media Slippery Rock—which like coverage is important it kind of sounded like in because it’s dealing with a the beginning.” health and safety concern,” Ab ent did give t he Abent said. “Having the media credit for running media here to report on corrections and doing that is helpful.” more in depth reporting However, she did take on Monday and later in the issue with the way some week, but she attributed of the reports came out the issues with the early in the beginning because reports and the corrections of some inaccuracies that made in the later reports were reported. to the nature of the news “There were instances media. where incorrect “You have to take the information w a s good with the bad,” Abent broadcasted that tended said. “And the good is to enflame the situation,” getting the info out there Abent said. “The situation and raising awareness.” was already tragic enough.”

News

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ROCK NOTES Dance Lessons, Auction at Ghost Riders 2 in Butler Tuesday Nights-Dance Lessons/Social dance 7-8 p.m. lessons 8-10:30 p.m. Open Dance, ALL Types of Music to, Dance to and Free Pool For only $5.00.

Packages available.

Special Auction-Wednesday, May 9 at 2 p.m.

This is the last publication of the spring semester. The Rocket will resume publication on August 31, 2012.

.

To submit a Rock Note please send your announcement by 6 p.m. Wednesday to Jonathan Janasik at jtj9529@sru.edu or to rocket.news@sru.edu. The Rocket does not guarantee that all requests will be published in the paper.

Index Rock Notes...............A-2 Classifieds..........A-8 Weather map...........A-2 Sports...................B-1 Blotter.................A-3 Campus Life.............C-1 Opinion...............A-6

contact us Newsroom: (724) 738-4438 Advertising: (724) 738-2643 Fax: (724) 738-4896 Email: rocket.letters@sru.edu

220 Eisenberg Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA 16057

2011 Runner-up Most Outstanding Newspaper, Society of Collegiate Journalists.

May 4, 2012

Students are negligent, says Calhoun Continued from Page A-1

protect the school and end the cause.”

Mason Calhoun, a junior exercise science major, also protested.

“I’m excited about this flash mob,” Calhoun said. “I think a lot more people should be involved. Unfortunately, students are negligent.”

Calhoun believes that students think they can’t make a difference or they are too busy with schoolwork.

“With something big like this event, they should be out here,” Calhoun said. “I don’t think they know how much this can affect students and graduate students.”

Brittney McClure, a freshman exercise science major, went to the rally in March and came to the protest on Tuesday. ”It’s an important event,” McClure said. “So why not make a statement? If I could talk to Corbett, I would ask him, ‘Why did he cut education?’”

SGA and APSCUF had informational pamphlets and postcards addressed to the governor to give to students and faculty.

“Stop the rock slide,” McCarter said. “Voice your concerns. Vote that you don’t want a decrease in funding.

Arts and music are the first to go. Extra-curricular

activities are to go too.”

APSCUF is part of the "Back to the Future" campaign to keep the 1989 funding in the past and bring state universities “back into the future.” The idea is to get rid of 1989 funding where “there is no future for accessible, affordable, quality public higher education in Pennsylvania.”

Burkhart became the president of the APSCUF on May 1. The former president was Jace Condravy, who worked for nine years as APSCUF president.

“Public education offers a lot to so many people,” Burkhart said. “It is far more accessible than private institutions. It’s worth fighting for.”

Burkhart has been a professor for 20 years and 15 years at SRU. “If I were to talk to Corbett, I would say, ‘Please stop cutting public funding to the university,’” Burkhart said.

Burkhart is the faculty advisor for the Geography, Geology, and the Environment club, Phi Sigma Sigma, and the Sea Kayaking club.

“My wife says that I need to slow down, and I am,” Burkhart said.

SGA promoted about the protest through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

SRU second highest in performance funding in PA, according to study by Time Magazine

By Erica Kurvach Rocket Contributor

Slippery Rock University scored the second highest number of points in academic performance in the state in 2011.

According to Time magazine on Apr. 25, SRU was recognized as one of the top schools who succeeded in performance.

SRU earned as much as $1.5 million a year in performance funding.

The Living Learning Community, FYRST seminar, and the Tutoring Center are the most common influential academic programs.

Dr. Mark Campbell, of Trafford, Pa., has a BA in Physics, a BA in secondary education, an MA in guidance, and a doctoral in higher education administration.

A total of 90 to 95 percent of freshmen attend a FYRST seminar class.

“We look at FYRST Seminar as an extension of orientation,” Campbell said. “Freshmen can meet friends in their major and get to know a professor in their department quickly.”

Nearly every major has a FYRST seminar program. This is the first year for safety management and theater to put together a program.

“In academic services, we help students make friendship early on,” Campbell said.

Campbell believes that by grouping students together and sharing enrollment, students can get help with other students in their class.

Almost all of FYRST seminar classes have peer leaders.

“Some messages are hard to get across to students,” Campbell said. “Students will listen to the peer leader better and can listen to his or her experiences.

Some students have a high school way

of thinking that tutoring is for those who struggle with classes. The peer leader will recommend tutoring and will show students that it can benefit them.”

In FYRST seminar classes, students can learn what their department expects from them.

Campbell will do about 30 one-hour freshmen orientations a semester.

“People who want to get an A in a class are the most popular reasons why they enter the tutoring program,” Campbell said.

He also teaches college workshops and talks about academic services with Carla Hradisky-Coffelt, the director of retention services, 112 North Hall. Hradisky-Coffelt encourages students to come to class to exceed and talks about good decision-making.

Campbell’s recommendation is that as soon as a student has questions about a class, he or she should get a tutor.

Students normally get up to two letter grades more than they expected out of the class before getting a tutor.

Math and science are the most popular subjects students get tutored for.

T h e p e r f or m a n c e f u n d i n g requirements is competitive. There is a formula the state uses.

“Not many universities have all FYRST seminar programs,” Campbell said. “Students can get to know the professors in their department quickly.”

Campbell used to be a private tutor when he went to college. He tutored statistics and physics. Last time SRU was recognized nationally for their performance in the media was in the Princeton Review in 2003.

“I am thrilled to see SRU in Time magazine,” Campbell said. “The last time we made national media was in the Princeton Review in 2003.”

The highest number of points universities can earn is 14 points. SRU scored 12.5 points. Bloomsburg was the highest in the state at 13 points.

Provost William Williams is excited that SRU was featured in Time magazine.

“The bigger the school, the more money it can get,” Williams said.

There is a long list of how many targets the school has to meet. SRU met 94.9 percent of its targets. Last year, SRU met 39 out of 40 of its baseline evaluation, 15 out 20 in benchmark evaluation, and 39 out of 40 in the summary evaluation.

Williams is creating a new performance plan. The categories are success for students, access to opportunities, and stewardship.

On May 3, the state system, Peter Garland, Lewis Johnson, and George Perell, and Williams talked about the new plan.

“We want to create performance indicators that we can do well in,” Williams said. “The institution wants to help the areas where the institution has the resources.”

SRU is already identified for its traditional-aged resident students, so the administration plans on spending less on commuter benefits. Williams focuses on recruiting students into healthcare and exercise science programs.

Some of SRU’s goals are to increase its faculty production, faculty diversity, terminal degree faculty, retentive rate of first and second year students, and graduation rates.

In 1981, Williams started working at SRU in the English Department.

On Jan. 2, 2003, he became provost and is planning to leave his position by the end of the fall semester.

News

May 4, 2012

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Police Blotter Borough April 7 – Thomas Leavell, 23, was arrested for a DUI. April 18 – William W. Hulings, 25, was arrested for a DUI. April 21 – Robert James Slopek, 32, was cited for disorderly conduct.

April 22 – Peter Michael Woytowish, 23, was cited for an open container of alcohol.

April 28 – Anthony Cardamone Jr., 20, was cited for disorderly house.

April 29 – Samantha Sharpless, 21; Casey Fleeger, 20; Alex Sanchez, 19; Najee Watson, 18; Megan Mahan, 20; Emily Wise, 20; and Christopher Burger, 20, were cited for disorderly house.

April 21 – John Joseph Ottena, 33, was cited for disorderly conduct.

April 21 – Tyler Anthony Hightower, 20, was cited for underage consumption of alcohol.

Campus April 21 – Andres Llaque-Torres, 20, was cited for underage consumption of alcohol at Building E.

April 30 – There was a reported theft of copper from Patterson Hall. The case is under investigation.

April 30 – There was a report of a possible drug violation at North Hall. The incident was referred to judicial.

April 30 – Katrina Wasser, 18, was cited for underage consumption of alcohol and Alyssa McCall, 20, was cited for public drunkenness at the Aebersold Recreation Center.

May 1 – There was a report that a vehicle was hit in the Union Parking Lot. The case is under investigation.

May 1 – There was a report that a vehicle was hit on Morrow Way. The case is under investigation.

April 30 – There was a report of public intoxication at a concert. A citation is pending.

April 30 – Mariah Alford, 20, was cited for disorderly conduct, underage consumption of alcohol, and public drunkenness at the Swope Parking Lot.

May 2 – There was a report that a vehicle was hit in the Boozel parking lot. The case is under investigation.

May 2 – There was a report of an individual being pushed at School Alley. The incident was referred to the Borough Police.

Compiled by Catie Clark

Rape prevention is key The Rocket hires a brand new staff, Continued from Page A-1

anything the university can do, it is important to educate men as well as women.

“It’s about how we talk to the men about not committing these kinds of crimes, not about telling the women about what they can do to protect themselves,” Solito said.

“None of the ‘watch your drinks’ or ‘go in groups’ advice matters, because we shouldn’t be blaming women for their own assaults.”

Students campus-wide are beginning to bring the safety of SRU into question after two sexual assaults within a year.

Andrea Love, an accounting major, said that she doesn’t like having to worry about these things weather they happen on or off-campus.

“It just adds more worry for me and my family,” Love said. “I always make sure I walk in daylight or with a buddy at night.”

Public Health major Jenalee Shields said that she believes there have been a lot of similar incidents since she has been a student at SRU. “I think people need to abide by the ‘safety in numbers’ rule and stick together regardless of where they are walking,” Shields said.

Shields also brought up another way to keep safe, instead of walking alone at night.

“I know the police have an escort service to take people back to their dorms safely, which I think is a really good idea,” Shields said.

The case is still under investigation, anyone with information is asked to call the Pennsylvania State Police at 724-284-8100.

says goodbye to departing members

By Alyssa Cirincione Rocket Contributor

As we say ‘goodbye’ to The Rocket staff ’s graduating seniors, we say ‘hello’ to the new faces that The Rocket hired on Monday, April 23.

The Rocket’s new News Editor is Jonathan Janasik, a sophomore Professional Writing and Philosophy major.

Catie Clark, a sophomore Public Relations major, is the new Assistant News Editor. The new Staff Reporter is Erica Kurvach, a junior Journalism major.

The new Sports Editor is Madeline Williams, a sophomore Journalism major. Kristin Karam, a sophomore Journalism major, is the new Assistant Sports Editor.

Andy Treese, a junior Journalism major, is the new Campus Life Editor. The new Assistant Campus Life Editor is Courtney Tietje, a freshman Elementary Education major.

Karleigh Santry, a freshman Emerging Technology and Multimedia major, and Zach Dornisch, a senior Political Science major are the new Advertising Managers for The Rocket.

The new Copy Editor is Stephanie Holsinger, a junior Communication major. James Intile, junior Information Technology major, is the new Web Editor.

The new Photo Editor is Alex Mowrey, a freshman

Emerging Technology major and Emily Schubert, also a freshman Emerging Technology major, is the Assistant Photo Editor.

The Rocket’s new Editor-in-Chief is Will DeShong, a senior Journalism major. DeShong has worked this past year as a staff reporter, and the 2012-2013 year will be his first as an editor.

“I want to develop more of an online interaction with the student media, like blogging.” DeShong said describing one of his ideas to improve The Rocket for the new year as Editorin-Chief.

DeShong said that he is really looking forward to working with the new staff. “I can tell they’re really dedicated and knowledgeable,” he said.

Courtney Nickle, Tim Durr, Lexi Kovski, Liana Pittman, James Meyer, Brian Brodeur, Emily Hunter, and Zane Barger are the following seniors on The Rocket Staff that plan to graduate by December 2012.

Brian Brodeur, 22, started writing for The Rocket his junior year, and this year held the position of News Editor.

“It was a great experience to broaden my editing skills, helping me come up with story ideas and working under pressure,” Brodeur said about working for The Rocket.

Brodeur will graduate on Saturday, May 12, and he said he has faith that the new Rocket staff will do a great job during the 2012-2013 academic year.

News

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The Rocket wins 17 awards

By Courtney Nickle Editor in Chief

The Rocket, Slippery Rock University’s student-run newspaper, won 12 awards from the Society of Collegiate Journalists, three Keystone awards from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association and two awards from the American Scholastic Press Association, a total of 17 awards for the 2011-12 academic year.

Awards from the Society of Collegiate Journalists are listed as follows: Campus Life editor Andy Treese was awarded first place for feature page design and content.

Photo editor Lexi Kovski was awarded a first place and a second place for photo essays.

Editor-in-Chief Courtney Nickle was awarded first place for breaking/hard news and third place for front page design and content.

Sports editor Tim Durr was awarded first place for sports page design and content and third place for sports feature.

News reporter Will DeShong was awarded second place for breaking/hard news.

Alex Mowrey was awarded honorable mention for sports photography.

The Rocket was awarded third place in the companion newspaper overall excellence category for its online edition. The newspaper was also awarded an honorable mention for overall excellence.

The Rocket won more 2012 SCJ awards in the newspaper and online divisions than any other university. They were also the only newspaper affiliated with a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education school to be recognized.

Keystone awards are listed as follows: Kovski and Mowrey were awarded a first place for their Homecoming themed photo-page, “Rock Around the World.”

Nickle was awarded second place for her “Texting and driving” layout and design on the editorial page.

Assistant photo editor Liana Pittman was awarded second place for her cartoons/graphic illustrations in “Our View,” the staff editorials.

The Rocket also earned 970 points out of 1,000 from the American Scholastic Press Association, which earned them a first place award with special merit, the ASPA’s highest award. The ASPA also awarded The Rocket a special category award for outstanding sports coverage for their special section previewing men’s and women’s basketball.

May 4, 2012

Graduate students face off with SGA

By Catie Clark Rocket Contributor

The new president of the Slippery Rock Student Government Assocation (SGA) for the 2012-2013 school year was sworn in Thursday at the last Senate meeting of the semester.

Dave Wolfe, a junior sport management and communication major, said he is looking forward to serving as president.

“I’m really excited to hold such an honorable position and to work with some of the best student leaders on campus,” Wolfe said.

All other new and returning SGA executive board members and senators were sworn in as well.

Wolfe’s second motion as president of SGA involved a motion that had previously failed earlier during the meeting.

The Association of Graduate Students (AGS) brought an amendment to the senate from a previous motion that involved the organization being recognized as a student organization, not as a governing body, so that SGA would allocate them 3.75 percent of the student fees that graduate students already pay to SGA. The motion has been tabled until the first senate meeting of next semester.

The previously approved motion at the April 26 Board of Co-Operative Activities meeting stated that they would review the proposal of AGS by December 31, 2012 with the stipulation that a committee be appointed at a later date by the Vice President of Finance. This review would include reviewing policies, implementation of the proposal, and potential negative effect of the proposal.

Samuel Goodge, a graduate student volleying for the approval of AGS, said that the 3.75 percent of money allocated to AGS would amount to around $10,000.

“We are asking for the opportunity to see what AGS could do with a budget given the opportunity

while the committee is still under review,” Goodge said.

Kim Sloan, vice president of internal affairs, and Josh Rodgers, vice president of finance, both think that the committee is a good idea, but allotting AGS money before the committee has been formed and a budget has been made was not.

“We’re not making this committee so we can put this off, we’re looking at the facts and figures,” Sloan said. “I think the committee is an idea we need to stick with.”

Rodgers said, “It would be going against precedent if we didn’t make them break down and budget their allotted funds before approving it.”

Goodge said that the reason graduate students are moving through the channels is because they feel they aren’t being appropriately represented.

“As there is only one graduate senator, the decisions are left almost entirely up to the undergraduates,” Goodge said. “We need a group that favors the graduate students.”

Elise Michaux, president elect of AGS, said that by not forming an AGS, graduate students are not doing their job.

“We pride ourselves on clubs and organizations,” Michaux said. “If we’re not supporting that, then we are not serving our purpose.”

Goodge also said he would like to speak towards the ethics of SGA policies.

“Although graduate students pay the same percentage as undergraduate students, graduate tuition costs more, which results in graduate students paying a greater amount,” Goodge said.

“Because we are under-represented in SGA, it’s not exactly fair that we pay more into SGA [per student] than undergraduates do.”

Goodge said that he knew the motion wasn’t going to pass, but now he knows it is on the radar for next year.

“We’re not talking about the stability of an organization here,” Goodge said, “we’re talking about adequately representing students.”

May 4, 2012

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OPINION

The Rocket

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May 4, 2012

The Rocket

Our View

Volume 94, Number 25

220 Eisenberg Classroom Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania 16057 Phone: (724) 738-4438 Fax: (724) 738-4896 E-mail: rocket.letters@sru.edu

Editorial Board Courtney Nickle Editor-in-Chief Brian Brodeur News Editor Andy Treese Campus Life Editor Tim Durr Sports Editor Lexi Kovski Photo Editor Zane Barger Copy Editor James Intile Web Editor Stephanie Holsinger Assistant News Editor James Meyer Assistant Campus Life Editor Madeline Williams Assistant Sports Editor Liana Pittman Assistant Photo Editor Will Deshong News Reporter Mark Zeltner Faculty Adviser

Advertising Staff Emily Hunter Advertising Manager Sarah Black Assistant Advertising Manager

About Us The Rocket is published by the students of Slippery Rock University every Friday during the academic semester with the exception of holidays, exam periods and vacations. Total weekly circulation is 3,000.

No material appearing in The Rocket may be reprinted without the written consent of the Editor-in-Chief.

The first copy of The Rocket is provided free of charge. Additional copies may be purchased for 50 cents each.

The Rocket receives approximately five percent of its funding from the SGA General Service fee paid each semester by students.

All other income is provided through the sale of advertising.

Advertising inquiries may be made by calling (724) 738-2643 or by e-mailing rocket.ads@sru.edu.

Corrections If we make a substantial error, we want to correct it. If you believe an error has been made, call The Rocket newsroom at (724) 738-4438. If a correction is warranted it will be printed in the opinion section.

Subscriptions Subscriptions to The Rocket are available.

Subscriptions are $20 per academic semester and $35 for the full academic year.

Inquiries should be directed to the Editorin-Chief at the address listed here.

GRAPHIC BY EMILY SCHUBERT

Added security at Ginger Hill unfortunately long overdue The actions that result from irresponsible drinking oftentimes result in unlawful conduct, which in the worst of cases, crosses into an absolutely unforgiveable level.

Such an inst ance seems to have occurred last weekend behind the Ginger Hill Tavern, as the Pennsylvania State Police are now investigating an alleged rape that happened near the establishment.

“Drink responsibly.”

Perhaps there is a fundamental flaw in relying on individuals consuming a mind-altering substance to achieve such a goal, but the popular slogan passed around the business of alcohol is far too often disregarded and ignored

by students trying to have a good time on the weekend.

With this in mind, it is important for bars serving alcohol to uphold the highest standards of safety to protect innocent people from the wrongdoing of others.

We’re not accusing Ginger Hill of being responsible in any way for the alleged incident that occured last weekend.

Without question, all of the blame for such acts falls solely on the alleged perpetrators, as it does with any case of this nature.

People are responsible for their own actions.

But after the recent incident, talk concerning the safety in and around

this particular bar has certainly entered the community conversation.

And seeing as how Ginger Hill is the only thing close to a ‘nightclub’ in a town heavily populated by college students, they have an even greater obligation to provide safety for their patrons in the bar and any other individuals passing by the property. Their security should be close to impeccable.

While they may have go o d intent ions in providing that safety with the bouncers they have working every weekend, quite frankly they haven’t been good enough.

Not when something like this happens close to their property.

In the Quad In the Quad is a segment in which random students, faculty and staff are asked for their opinions on a specific topic.

Granted, there is an issue of an uneasy atmosphere that some people are starting to associate with the bar. This of course isn’t completely Ginger Hill’s fault, seeing as how they can’t control the mentality of the people stopping by their restaurant for a drink, just like they can’t control if a man wants to commit a horrendous crime nearby.

We can’t fault Ginger Hill for having obnoxious, rude, or even evil people show up to their bar.

But there can be public scrutiny over the effectiveness of how their security handles these individuals.

And right now, that scrutiny should be at an

all-time high.

So, yes, fault of any incident that occurs around a bar is the fault of the individual causing the harm -- whether it is a fight or a sexual assault.

But that doesn’t hide the fact that preventative cautions for such acts need to be in place.

Rumors are a security guard was seen monitoring the parking lot behind Ginger Hill this week, undoubtedly in response to the alleged assault.

We hope this is a permanent move.

Because it is a necessary move.

Unfortunately for one young woman, it appears to be a necessary move that was a week too late.

This week’s question: Do you feel safe going to the Ginger Hill Tavern on the weekend?

Editorial Policy The Rocket strives to present a diverse range of opinions that are both fair and accurate in its editorials and columns appearing on the Opinion pages. “Our View” is the opinion of the Editorial Board and is written by Rocket editorial board members. It reflects the majority opinion of The Rocket Editorial Board.

“Our View” does not necessarily reflect the views of Slippery Rock University, its employees or its student body. Columns and cartoons are drafted by various individuals and only reflect the opinions of the columnists.

Letters Policy The Rocket welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns, but does not guarantee their publication.

The Rocket retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted. Submitted material becomes the property of The Rocket and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be published.

Those who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major and/or group affiliation, if any. Please limit letters to a maximum of 400 words.

Submit all material by noon Wednesday to: The Rocket, 220 ECB, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pa. 16057. Or send it via e-mail to: rocket.letters@sru.edu.

Abbey Sawl Junior therapeutic recreational major Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Samantha Levy Junior history education major Hometown: Cranesville, Pa.

“Yes, because I take precautions.

I have mace, a cell phone on hand and safety manuevers in case anything happens.”

“Yes, I usually go with a group of friends and take the Happy Bus to pick us up. There are ways to not go home alone.”

Coleman DeFilippo Sophomore English major Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa. “I do. I don’t know how girls would feel. I’m aware of the incident that happened this past weekend. I’m comfortable in the bar. I was raised around bars.”

Opinion

May 4, 2012

A-7

The Rocket has given me many memories, lessons No regrets about time spent at Rocket

Courtney Nickle Editor commentary Change is terrifying.

That’s a lesson I’ve come to learn. And right now I feel it more than ever.

This is a goodbye column – an end to my time as editorin-chief of this newspaper. A column I never could have imagined I’d be sitting here writing.

This year has made a large imprint on my life, that’s for sure.

I’ve learned a lot about my field, but more importantly I’ve learned a lot about myself.

I’ve learned what I can deal with, and what I can’t.

I’ve learned that I can be both stronger, and weaker, than I thought.

I’ve learned what it takes to be a leader, to be charged with motivating those around you.

I’ve learned how to approach the difficult stories, the tragedies, and I’ve learned that even though I never want to again, I have the ability.

I’ve learned not to let fear stop me from doing anything.

Never be afraid to take a chance. Never back down in fear. If you have passion and truth behind you, that’s all you need.

It’s strange to think that The Rocket has taught me so much, and had such an effect on my life, and yet I’m just a small part of it.

The Rocket has been around since 1934, and I can promise you it’s not disappearing anytime soon.

During my two years on staff, I had the pleasure of working with some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. Some of those relationships will continue long into the future, and some won’t, but I will always treasure the time I spent there and the memories we made.

But let’s not act like everything was always coming up roses. If you asked me what I thought of being editor-in-chief, the events of that particular day

would have determined my answer. Throughout the year I bobbled back and forth between absolutely loving my job and despising it.

But now, looking back, and we all know hindsight is 20/20, I wouldn’t have traded a second of it for anything.

It gave me the experience necessary to enter the working world with confidence.

It gave me relationships that I will never forget.

It gave me the chance to get to know myself, to know what I am capable of.

And now, when I graduate in December and am forced to enter the real world, I know I’ll be fine.

As I leave The Rocket behind and delve deeper into different aspects of my life, I’m certain that I’m leaving the newspaper that has engulfed my life for the past two years in good hands.

It’s time for me to move aside and let the next group show off their talents. I can’t wait to see what they will accomplish.

Courtney Nickle is a junior journalism major from Butler and Editor-in-Chief for The Rocket.

Auto-Tune is killing the music industry

Michael Santoro Observation Station Easy. It’s not a word that floats around much this time of the year. Finals are coming up, project due dates are growing closer, and papers’ length and criteria are steadily being increased. Easy isn’t really a word that comes up around this era, either.

Finding a job that pays well is becoming more difficult, balancing your income in a time of inflation is heavy work, and keeping your head afloat with varying responsibilities busies up everyone’s schedules. The word “easy,” despite not being relevant in these situations, applies to a lot of what we now hear with regards to music. In that I mean music, and more specifically vocals, seem to be requiring less talent and effort to complete.

This brings us to a conjunction: AutoTune. Auto-Tune is an audio processor that is able to fix singers’ voices that may not be perfectly on key or pitch. Back in the early 90’s, this effect was nowhere in music, with singers having to rely on their own vocal talent. In 1998, Cher’s “Believe” exploded onto the music scene, with Cher’s voice having a strange effect over it. This effect was the first time music was introduced to Auto-Tune. A year later, Kid Rock used the effect on his song “Only God Knows Why.” Then, about a decade later, the widespread use of this audio processor has come into place. Everyone from T-Pain (who, admittedly, started the fad of utilizing Auto-Tune throughout his entire catalogue, albeit a few songs) to Kanye West began to utilize Auto-Tune to make their voices sound pitch-perfect.

Now it seems you can’t turn on a top40 station without almost every artist using Auto-Tune during their entire songs, sometimes their entire album. There are of course exceptions, such as Adele, with whom I’ll get to later. Most notably of these Auto-Tuning artists would be Ke$ha.

Originally a background singer for the rapper Flo Rida, Ke$ha blew-up with her song Tik-Tok. Now I’m sure almost all of you have heard this song or other singles by her. Not that this point solely determines an artist’s merit, but have you ever heard her perform her songs live? She simply can’t.

Now maybe we should consider her more of an entertainer or artist than a singer. We know she has chops as a songwriter, since she had a hand in writing every song on

her album Animal, but should she really be behind the microphone if everything has to be doctored in order to sound acceptable?

I’m not the only one who is skeptical of Auto-Tune and its increasing use among artists. Jay-Z is against the use of AutoTune, using it only once for a few seconds within his song, “On to the Next One” from The Blueprint 3, to put-down the use of Auto-Tune. On this same album, Jay-Z released “D.O.A.” (Death of Auto-Tune), a scathing commentary on the current state of rap as well as a rebuke to Auto-Tune and artists using it. Another hugely-successful rapper, Eminem, has yet to use Auto-Tune seriously. Several country singers have gone on to say they are against Auto-Tune and will never use it. In addition, IndieRock band Death Cab for Cutie has also been outspoken on the use of Auto-Tune.

Still, this doesn’t stop other artists from using it to bring their vocals to levels of computerized-perfection.

Now, here’s a name: Adele. This massively-successful, multi-Grammy winning artist has been seen as a breath of fresh air to popular music of the time.

Her voice is free from Auto-Tune, but still manages to hit both difficult notes with ease and be a crowd-pleaser. I personally believe this shouldn’t be seen as much of a big deal as it is. It’s simply due to the era we are in, and the music we are being delivered. Top-40 is filled with so many artists who just can’t hold their own with a microphone. If Adele was to have come into popularity at any other time, she would be seen as another solid artist with catchy pop songs and a strong voice. Now, she’s seen as an unbelievable artist and any competition in terms of natural vocals is nowhere to be found. Many are going to disagree with this, but it’s something that I’ve noticed.

Music now just seems as though it is being made simply and solely to make money. Oh, and enable dancing. Top-40 now seems to deliver strictly party music, music found at house parties, clubs, and any similar venue. It seems as if the days are gone of concept albums, real, physical instruments, and artists with raw, natural talent. I could never imaging songs like The Who’s “Baba O’Riley “and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” or Pink Floyd’s “Another Bring in the Wall” ever being massive songs if released now. After the 80’s, where synthesizers and electronically-created songs were common, came the 90’s, a decade that went back to the bare-bones of instrumentation, vocals, and lyrics. This was a music revolution. Where’s ours?

Michael Santoro is a junior public relations major from Pittsburgh, Pa.

Tim Durr Commentary I invite all of you to take a quick trip back into the past with me. Let’s go to August, 2009. I just graduated from high school and am prepared to come to Slippery Rock University to major in Communication with an emphasis in Journalism.

I receive an email from the current Editorin-Chief of The Rocket at the time, Josh Rizzo. He sent out the email to all potential freshmen in my major and asked to see if we were interested in writing for The Rocket.

I was very excited by this opportunity and he eventually got me in contact with the sports editor at the time, Carly Thomas.

Carly assigned me men’s soccer and my involvement with The Rocket started.

I wrote my first article before I even stepped foot on campus for the semester, and let’s just say that I’ve come a long way from where my journalistic skills were at the start of my writing career for The Rocket.

Why did I tell that anecdote from 2009, you may be wondering? Well, it’s because I am stepping down from my position of sports editor at the end of this year so that I can focus on some different skills in my final semesters at Slippery Rock.

As I think back to those days when I was a freshman with little knowledge about AP style and all of the things that make up a journalist, it’s hard to believe that I have come so far and been involved in The Rocket since a few weeks before school started my freshman year.

I’ll admit there have been times when I dreaded coming into the office, but when I look back on the whole experience that I have had with many different people throughout my time on the staff, I can’t say there is anything that I regret.

Pieces like this are usually written by a senior who is graduating from college, not a junior who still has time left but I felt it was more appropriate to write my piece about leaving The Rocket now, while the emotions and experiences were still fresh on my mind.

I wish that I could take time to thank every single person who has made a positive influence on my life but it’d probably be quicker to name the people who haven’t.

In that case, there isn’t anyone that I have worked with in the Communication department or on The Rocket that hasn’t had an impact on my life.

My philosophy is that no matter who it is, how they treat you, or what your relationship with them is, you can always learn something from them that you didn’t know and teach them something they didn’t know.

So, even if you don’t think you’ve made any type of impact on my life, you probably have. That’s the main thing that I want to reflect on in this piece: the amount of improvements that being involved with this organization and this department have had on my life.

I have grown as a writer, an editor, a communicator, and most importantly, as a person.

Now that I will be giving up my desk to the new sports staff of Madeline Williams and Kristin Karam, I have some mixed emotions about leaving.

I’m excited to watch Madeline step up to become the sports editor and see Kristin take on the duties of the assistant, but there is also some sadness. This desk and office have become my home away from home over the past two years and will become the property of someone else.

So, without any further ado, I give the sports section of The Rocket over to Kristin and Madeline. I know that you both will do a fantastic job and make me proud to say that I helped in the training of both of you.

To everyone who I have worked on past Rocket staffs with, I wish you all the best of luck in all endeavors of life. You all hold a special place in my heart and it was an honor to work with all of you. You guys have become some of my best friends. Thank you.

To everyone who is entering on the future staff, I wish you the best of luck in taking over The Rocket. I feel a bit like a father watching his daughter go off to school or get married. I’m proud of what I accomplished with it when it was mine but I know that you guys will take great care of it for me in the future.

Good Luck!

Tim Durr is a junior journalism major from Beaver Falls, Pa. He is also the Sports Editor for The Rocket.

Professors need to be the ones teaching classes

Lexi Kovski Commentary Have you ever had a class where it seems as though you rely on learning from your classmates more than your professor?

I think it’s safe to say that just about everyone has had a class that falls under this criteria, no matter what major you may be in.

I know that being able to stand in front of a group of people and present your ideas is necessary for students in many, if not all majors, but should students be responsible for teaching entire sections of the class to each other?

Students in all majors should be able to use their communication skills, however, you can’t expect every student to learn the same way. Some students aren’t as good as others when it comes to public speaking.

Public Speaking classes, however, are not the issue.

Everyone knows what to expect when signing up for that course.

The problem arises when a majority of the designated class time is spent by students

teaching each other rather than learning the material from the professor.

If a professor is going to expect us to teach our classmates, then what are we paying them for?

Students dish out hundreds of dollars every semester to pay for their tuition, which in turn helps to pay the professors to teach us the skills we need to succeed in our future endeavors.

Students, especially those who pay for their tuition on their own, value their education immensely, but how much can we really learn from students just like us who are not experts on the topics?

When students are required to present and teach their classmates multiple times throughout the semester, amounting to more time spent teaching each other than the professor spends teaching us, doesn’t that undermine the entire purpose of having students as students and professors as professors?

These are not the only issues though.

What about when it comes to test time? The professor still makes up the test, so what if your classmates did not prepare you well enough?

When you have your fellow students teaching you the information that your professor is expecting you to learn, they may not cover everything that your professor anticipated, causing you to feel unprepared when it comes time to take the test.

Feeling unprepared for a

test, especially when they are a larger portion of your grade, causes students to over-stress and cram the night before. I think everyone has experienced pulling an all-nighter to study for a big test at least once in his or her college career.

Now, before professors come chasing me down the hall to defend themselves, I want to make it clear that I understand both sides.

Requiring students to stand in front of their peers and teach them something that they have spent time researching helps them to prepare for future job interviews and enhances their communication skills in general.

I know I have learned a tremendous amount by researching and presenting the information to my classmates, but that comes with my major.

An issue that I see often comes from students not preparing well enough, or waiting until the last minute, which does not give me the opportunity to learn the information that I could if a professor was teaching me, and could ultimately put my grade on the line. I don’t know about you, but I’m not alright with that.

Yes, there are many pros and cons to professors requiring students to teach their peers, but essentially, we are paying our professors to teach, so I wish that’s what they’d do.

Lexi Kovski is a junior communication major from Slippery Rock, Pa. She is also the photo editor for The Rocket.

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A-8

January 27, 2012

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COMICS

The Rocket

A-9

MAY 4, 2012

MoreOn TV

By Jay Schiller and Greg Cravens

Welcome to Falling Rock National Park

Life in Hell

By Josh Shalek

That Monkey Tune

Blundergrads

By Matt Groening

By Michael A. Kandalafti

By Phil Flickinger

Sudoku

By Michael Mepham

Horoscopes

By Nancy Black Tribune Media Services (MCT) To d ay ' s Bi r t h d ay (05/04/12). Relationships, while always important, get a special boost later this month. Partnership grows deeper for the rest of the year, and a lifetime commitment could develop or deepen. Broaden your education this year. What do you want to learn? Your fortune looks solid; review your wellness plan. Go play.

To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is an 8 -Make romance a priority.

Put extra effort into clear communication. New possibilities come with teamwork. Express your deepest feelings, and discover that others share them.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Move quickly to get what you need for your home. Research and save a bundle. You'll be more patient with finances for the next two days.

Practice makes perfect.

Gemini (May 21-June

21) -- Today is a 7 -- Find the secret intrigue in doing the accounting. Locate something you've always wanted, and set your course in that direction. The vibe these days keeps you hopping.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) -- Today is a 6 -- You can do well financially.

Adjust the budget. Love's the motivation. Constant communication keeps it all working. You have more time for leisure.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Your welldeveloped conscience keeps you on the right path. There may be a change in the plans, though. Stay practical, and price out materials. Home is a great place to be.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Consider all the income-making possibilities. Join the competition. Friends can make great partners. Let go of preconceptions and allow love to shine through.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- You have the power to open blocked channels of communication.

Your balanced view creates peace and understanding in your community. Your brilliance inspires others.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov.

21) -- Today is a 7 -Organization helps you to accomplish even more.

You don't need to give away your plan. Don't forget what you've learned. Clear up misunderstandings. Don't wait.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22Dec. 21) -- Today is a 7 -You may win the argument, but is it worth it? Nourish relationships with your friends. Keep your eye on the ball and fulfill a fantasy.

It's within reach.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- You're entitled to disagree. Go for the stars by setting small goals and achieving them, even if you're only taking baby steps. You're especially smart for the next two days.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is an 8 -Friends mean well but don't understand the situation.

You can't be two places at once. Your discipline is admirable. Wrap up old business. You're entering a social phase.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Now you can choose love as well as money by finding the right balance and by remembering your priorities. Old ideas can be useful now. Stay calm.

Solution

A-10

May 4, 2012

SPORTS

The Rocket

B-1

May 4, 2012

Former wide receiver signed by Ravens

ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET

Devin Goda scores a touchdown in his last game in a Slippery Rock uniform in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship game against Kutztown University.

Goda was signed by the Baltimore Ravens after the 2012 NFL Draft.

By D.J. Vasil Rocket Contributor

Almost every college football player has dreams about playing in the National Football League someday.

Most players will only dream, but for Slippery Rock University wide

receiver Devin Goda, that dream has become reality.

Goda has signed a freeagent contract to play as a receiver for the Baltimore Ravens.

“It’s a great feeling,” Goda said. “I’m excited to be in the league. It’s just a great feeling to have this happen.”

There was a chance

that Goda was going to get drafted. When draft weekend arrived, Goda was nothing short of being busy on the phone with the Ravens.

“It was crazy,” Goda said.

“Saturday, my family and I had a draft party. Baltimore called my agent, who has Ravens quarterback Joe

Flacco as his client. He was talking to Baltimore every half hour. They were in touch with my agent when the 6th round started.”

The R avens weren’t the only team that was interested in Goda.

“Teams were calling left and right,” Goda said. “The Cowboys called me first.

Kansas City, Seattle, and Green Bay also called too.

Teams started calling about mid-seventh round.”

After it was all said and done, Goda was not drafted, but in the end, the Baltimore Ravens was the team Goda chose.

“Baltimore called and put in an offer that I couldn’t

pass up,” Goda said. “Right now Baltimore only has three receivers that are in right now and when I talked to Coach Harbaugh, he said I could come in now and have a chance to play. I really want that shot to play my first year.”

Goda seems to fit the mold that Baltimore looks for in receivers- big, tall, and strong.

“They’re a hard-nosed team,” Goda said. “They like big physical receivers.

They have Anquan Boldin, and he’s huge. They like how I catch the ball over the middle and my hand strength. They like how I’m a big, physical receiver.”

Despite not being drafted, Goda thought positively about it.

“Since I was coming out of Division II, teams said they wanted to get me cheap,” Goda said. “We were pretty confident I was going to get drafted. It’s probably for the best, going as a preferred free agent. I got to pick where I wanted to go. All in all, I think it was a blessing to have it go this way.”

Goda finished his senior year at SRU catching 75 passes for 1,028 yards and, scoring 11 touchdowns. He was voted to the First-Team All Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division Team.

He finished his career at SRU ranked second alltime in catches with 173, and yardage, 2,259. Goda will leave for the Ravens rookie mini-camp next Thursday. He will then remain in Baltimore until training camp opens up.

Tennis loses at Charleston, Rock guard receives extra year of eligibility on basketball team ousted from regional finals “Newcomer of the Year” and

By Madeline Williams

By Tim Durr Sports Editor

A loss to the No. 48 ranked University of Charleston (W.Va.) Saturday in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional at IUP ended the chance for Slippery Rock women’s tennis to get back to a sixth consecutive appearance in a regional-final match.

Two big victories in doubles matches for Charleston put them in a position to advance past SRU as Lauren Coggins and Elisabeth Yetiskul lost in the No. 2 spot and Janelle Krantz and partner Samantha Bruggeman lost in the No. 3 spot. The only doubles victory for SRU was by Sarah Lynch and Dunja Drmac in the No. 1 match.

Lynch reflected on how she felt about playing with doubles teammate and fellow senior Drmac all season.

“I was really honored to play my senior year of doubles with Dunja Drmac,” he said.

“She has taught me a lot about true friendship and having true passion for the game and life in general.”

Lynch was responsible for two of SRU’s three points in the 5-3 loss as she also recorded a 6-1, 6-2 victory

Assistant Sports Editor

in her singles match. Lynch said that the loss wasn’t the conclusion that she wanted to her career but it was something that she could be proud of.

“The match was a bittersweet end to a long season,” she said. “In the end I did all I could and that’s something I can hold my head up high for.”

The only other point scored by the Green and White came from Elisabeth Yetiskul as she was victorious in her singles match.The loss

by SRU gave them a 15-6 record in dual matches to end the season. The appearance in the NCAA tournament was the sixth consecutive for SRU and the 11th alltime in program history. The match that sealed the deal for Charleston on Saturday was the No. 4 singles match between Kelsey Hensley of Charleston and SRU’s Janelle Krantz. The victory

by Charleston got them the point they needed in the “race-to-5” format that the NCAA tournament uses.

Krantz lost the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

Now that the season is over for the Rock, they will focus on rebuilding the team next year.

ALEX MOWREY /THE ROCKET

Senior guard Devin Taylor sets up for a shot at a home basketball game this past season. Taylor has secured another year of eligibility with the Rock.

Senior guard Devin Taylor was approved for another year of eligibility with the Slippery Rock University men’s basketball team.

Last winter, Taylor was the Rock’s top scorer, averaging 13.5 points per game. He led the team in rebounding with 9.8 per game.

Ta y l o r r a n k e d 1 3 t h nationally in rebounding and led the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference with 265 boards.

He ranked fourth in the PSAC in field-goal shooting percentage with .486 and ranked 19th in the conference in scoring this year.

This season, he earned second team NABC AllAtlantic Region and first t e a m A l l - P S A C - We s t honors. Taylor was named the PSAC-West Athlete of the week twice during the season.

Next year will be Taylor’s third season in a Rock u n i for m . He pl ans to graduate next May. He started his collegiate career at LaRoche College in 2004, playing two years for the Redhawks.

He was named as Allegheny Mountain C ollegiate C onference

earned honorable mention in the conference during his freshman year.

He did not complete another entire season at LaRoche, and therefore was granted another year with the Rock squad.

"I played a few games du r i ng my s oph om ore season at LaRoche, but due to some family problems and hardships, I left and returned home to work for a few years, until I got a great opportunity to play for Slippery Rock," Taylor said.

He is very excited for the opportunity for another year to grow with his team.

“My goals for next year are to work with the team and get further than this past season,” Taylor said.

“We only made it to the first round of the conference tournament last winter, but I will do my best to improve in rebounding and defense so hopefully we can make a run in the national tournament.”

He is very excited to see what next year has in store for the Green and White.

“We have a lot of returning guys, and we are the closest of friends,” Taylor said. “We really enjoy playing with each other, and I feel that’s really what makes a championship team.”

Sports

B-2

May 4, 2012

Rock use final meet to prepare for PSACs

By Kristin Karam Rocket Contributor

The Slipper y Rock outdoor track and field team had three more athletes reach PSAC qualifying marks last Saturday at the Ashland Alumni Invitational.

The event was the final meet before the PSAC Championships.

The past two years at the PSACs have produced two second place finishes from the women’s team and two fourth places from the men’s team.

Freshman high jumper Amelia Wren, sophomore thrower Allyson Hubble, and freshman thrower Ni c k G ar u c c i o m e t qualifying marks in their events.

In the pole vault, senior Kelly Fischer and sophomore Julia Cain both hit NCAA provisional marks.

Cain cleared 3.67 meters to hit her season-high clearance and place third.

Fischer placed seventh with a clearance of 3.55 meters.

Two javelin throwers also met NCAA provisional marks in the javelin throw.

Junior Lexi Arnold hit the mark with her seasonbest throw of 43.04 meters and earned second place.

Arnold was followed by junior Kim Goth in third with a mark of 40.30 meters.

Running her season-best

in the 400-meter hurdles, senior Jayme Stanek took first with a time of 1:03.63.

Freshman Katelyn Wetzel took first in the 100-meter dash at 13.08 seconds.

The 4x400-meter relay team of Stanek, Wetzel, freshman Janine Powis and senior Caitlin Hancox clocked in their best time of the season, 4:01.01, for the win.

In the 4x100-meter relay, the team of Stanek, Wetzel, freshman Samantha Zampetti and sophomore Christina Ransom placed third with a time of 49.53 seconds.

In the 800-meter run, Hancox took second with a time of 2:14.47. Powis placed sixth at 2:22.21.

Wren hit her PSAC qualifying mark in the high jump at 1.60 meters for a ninth place finish.

Recording a win for Slippery Rock in the triple jump was sophomore Dilshani Madawala with a mark of 10.40 meters.

Hubble finished in 14th in the shot put with a qualifying throw of 11.41 meters.

The Rock’s men’s relay teams had another set of strong performances at the invitational.

The 4x400-meter relay team of senior Vanere Maynard, junior Kevin Jewel, sophomore Trevor Foley, and freshman Hunter Williams ran their season-best time of 3:18.15 to earn first place.

The 4x100-meter relay team of Williams, Maynard, junior DJ Chisom, and junior Mason McLaughlin also ran their season-best time of 41.97 seconds for third place.

Jewel placed third in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:53.52 and Chisom took second in the 100-meter dash at 11.15 seconds.

Garuccio placed 14th place with a throw of 40.38 meters. In the 400-meter dash, freshman Monte Chapman led The Rock in fourth place at 50.98 seconds.

Chapman was followed by freshman Nick Shrift in fifth at 51.25 seconds and sophomore Nathaniel Helfferich in sixth with a time of 51.94 seconds.

Junior pole vaulter Cameron Daughtery took third with a clearance of 4.75 meters.

Freshman Jerrod Galloway threw for 48.90 meters in the javelin throw to place third.

Also recording a third place finish was sophomore Sam Lotz in the triple jump with a leap of 13.20 meters.

In the 100-meter hurdles, junior Dan Hedglin placed seventh at 15.44 seconds and sophomore Jonathan Boyd finished eighth at 15.53 seconds.

In the 400-meter hurdles, junior Ethan Geisler ran a time of 54.60 seconds to place third and Foley placed fourth with a time

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN PAPA

Junior Kevin Jewel enters the final lap of the 800-meter run at the Ashland Alumni Invitational. Jewel placed 3rd with a time of 1:53.52. He is looking to win his third consecutive PSAC championship.

of 54.86 seconds.

He a d i n g i nt o t h e PSACs, Jewel feels that Shippensburg will be The Rock’s toughest competition. They are a

massive team with a lot of talent, but we are capable of beating them, Jewel said.

“The atmosphere at the PSACS is just so charged,”

Jewel said. “It always brings out the best in everyone."

Slippery Rock will travel to Bloomsburg, PA for the PSAC Championships May 3-5.

Women's lacrosse wins most games in school history

By Madeline Williams Assistant Sports Editor

ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET

Senior Emma VanDenburg drives down the field against Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She finished the season with 23 goals and 15 assists to total 38 points on the season.

The Slipp er y Ro ck Un i v e r s i t y w o m e n’s lacrosse team won their last game of the season, in a thrilling 14-13 comeback win against Seton Hill University on Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

The Rock was trailing 13-10 with less than five minutes to play in the game.

Senior Casey Quinn scored back-to-back goals to cut the deficit to 13-12. Senior Amy Halls connected with sophomore Lauren Laubach with 23 seconds to play, when Laubach scored the tying point for the Rock. Laubach won the draw control and freshman Paige Costantino scored the game-winner with just six seconds remaining in the game.

The win established a new single season record for wins with a 12-5 overall record.

On Saturday, Laubach broke the single game school record with 15 draw controls and broke the career record with 153.

Quinn ended her career by becoming the second player in school history to break the 150-goal barrier.

Halls finished her career with 215 goals and 263 points, leaving as the alltime record holder in career goals at SRU. Halls led the Rock with a hat trick and two assists. Quinn scored four goals and senior Emma VanDenburg had four

points on two goals and two assists.

Laubach had two goals of her own and 15 draw controls. S ophomore Morgan Pettit, freshman Katie Cook, and Costantino each tallied one goal. Senior Samantha Eddy contributed an assist.

Halls scored the first goal of the game, but Seton Hill answered with a 4-0 run to take an early 4-1 lead over SRU and did not give up the lead until the final seconds of the game.

Seton Hill took a 6-2 lead with 14:29 before Quinn and Pettit scored back-toback goals to cut the deficit to 6-4. Seton Hill scored two more goals and took a 8-5 lead at halftime.

Coming back from the half, Seton Hill scored a quick goal to take a 9-5 lead. SRU cut the score to 12-10 with 10:16 to play.

The Rock won four draw controls during the final minutes of the game and put together a comeback victory.

Junior goalie Natalie Henshaw earned the win in the final game of the year with eight saves.

Quinn was disappointed that the team did not make the playoffs, but overall was happy with the season.

“It was a great season with a great group of girls,” Quinn said. “It was heartbreaking to not make it to the playoffs, but we had the opportunities to get ourselves there. I hope next year’s team can get there.

This last game is one that I will never forget and a great game to end a career on.”

Sports

May 4, 2012

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Baseball stays alive in playoffs with win over Gannon

By Mike Hurlimann Rocket Contributor

Slippery Rock baseball kept its season alive with a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Gannon University Thursday afternoon.

The Rock has played six games in the past week, with three wins and three losses, as regular season play came to an end over the weekend and conference playoffs began on Wednesday May 2nd at Pullman Park in Butler.

Yesterday, Lou Trivino took the mound for the Rock against Gannon University in their second playoff game of the post-season. Trivino was awarded first team, all-PSAC honors for his pitching efforts this season.

"It's very exciting and I'm honored to be on it,” Trivono said. “I wish we had a few more wins under our belts, but we're in playoffs and we're doing well. I pitched today and we got the win."

The Rock was able to win their first post-season game and avoid elimination after they fell to No. 14 West Chester University 4-1 on Wednesday.

In the victory, Slippery Rock allowed one run in the third inning and another in the top of the sixth inning before getting on the board with two runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Trivino pitched seven and one-third innings as the game extended into extra innings.

The Rock was able to score in the bottom of the ninth inning on John Shaffer’s RBI

single to keep the Green and White alive in the playoffs.

In the game on Wednesday against West Chester, Slippery Rock was unable to get the bats going, as only one run crossed the plate for the Rock.

Zach Jeney threw a complete game, with nine strikeouts, six hits allowed, and four earned runs.

Shaffer went two for three and had Slippery Rock's only RBI of the game.

Prior to the playoff ’s beginning, Slippery Rock was able to make it as the fourth seed in the PSAC-West Division after winning two and losing two to California University of Pennsylvania over the weekend.

The Rock won their first meeting with Cal. U. by 7-1.

Brandon Myers and Carter Haponski led the way for the Green and White in the batter's box by driving in two RBIs each, with a combined three hits.

Myers’ RBIs were the result of a two-run home run in the top of the 5th inning, where the Rock scored four of their seven runs.

Jeney threw a complete game with nine strikeouts and three hits allowed.

In game two of Friday's doubleheader, Slippery Rock was unable to get the victory, falling to Cal. U. 3-2.

After giving up three runs in the first three innings of the game, the Rock fought back with two runs in the fifth and sixth innings, but were unable to plate the tying run in the seventh inning.

ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET

Sophomore shortstop Will Kengor fires a ball to first base in the game against West Chester University. Kengor batted in 30 runs this season for the Rock.

Freshman Garret Peterson pitched six innings and had seven strikeouts, but allowed the three runs for Cal. U. to score on five hits and four walks.

The weekend rounded out with Slippery Rock losing game one, but winning game two to get into the playoffs as the fourth seed in the PSACWest Division. Game one ended on Saturday with the score at 3-1 in favor of Cal. U. Trivino got the start for

Slippery Rock and pitched five and two-thirds innings before John Kovalik came in for an inning and a third of relief. Trivino had three stikeouts against six hits allowed and three earned runs as he was given his third loss of the season.

Lee Foxton was the only Slippery Rock player able to score, as he crossed the plate in the 3rd inning on a single

by John Shaffer.

Game two was a must win

for Slippery Rock as their playoff fate came down to the final game of the season. Nic McCowin got the win for the green and white, as he pitched all but the final two outs of the game. McCowin recorded three strikeouts in the victory while allowing five hits and four walks, but was able to keep the shutout in tact until Ryan Oglesby came in for the save. Slippery Rock scored four runs on eight hits and two Cal. U. errors.

Myers says the team will work together to reach the next level of the post season.

"Our pitching has been great all year," Myers said. "At the beginning of the season, our offense just wasn't quite in sync, but now we're getting hits when we need them and putting up runs. Now we're just going to take it one game at a time and make a push towards the next step of playoffs. We need to stay together as a team."

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Sports

May 4, 2012

a year in rock athletics

Top: Kevin Sanders stiff arms a Clarion defender as he heads toward the endzone.

Center Left: Senior attack Amy Halls looks for a teammate downfield.

Center: Dan Hedglin clears a hurdle as he runs with teammates in a race.

Center Right: Tabari Perry rises up for a dunk.

Bottom Left: Zach Hall battles for the ball in a 2011 match.

Bottom Right: Matt Curtis fires a pitch in an attempt to get a

runner out.

Photos and layout by: Alex Mowrey

The Rocket

CAMPUS LIFE C-1 May 4, 2012

Big Sean rocks crowd of 1,000 in ARC as second act for back-to-back concerts

By Tim Durr Sports Editor

From a song about the qualities of the back sides of women to a song about making the most out of every memory in life, Big Sean’s experiences expand wider than the average hip-hop fan may realize.

Big Sean performed Monday night at the Aebersold Recreation Center in front of 1,000 fans, and his Detroit roots were evident throughout the performance as he wore a Detroit Red Wings hat.

On a set of couches in gym B of the ARC after an energyfilled show, Big Sean sat and reflected on his life growing up in Detroit.

“I grew up in the hood but I also went to a private school, so it was like a mix of both worlds,” he said. “I got a different perspective of Detroit than most people did. I would stay at my friend Caleb’s house in the suburbs with rich parents, and then I’d have other friends who lived in shacks with roaches.”

Big Sean, whose actual name is Sean Anderson, said that growing up in those different situations helped him to know when to be professional and how to act around different people.

“Seeing the world the way I did helped me to know that there are different times to act certain ways,” he said.

“That translated into my music and helped me to not be closed-minded because I knew that not everyone went through the same thing that I did.”

That ability to come up with a unique style and show different sides in his music paid off big time for Big Sean when Kanye West listened to him rap and ultimately signed him to his G.O.O.D. Music record label.

“I remember riding to school listening to Kanye, so when the opportunity came for me to get signed by one of my favorite artists, it was a dream come true,” he said. “When Kanye called me to offer me the contract, I was driving to my girlfriend’s house and I was so overwhelmed that I had to pull over because I was crying so hard.”

After being signed to G.O.O.D. Music, Big Sean released his first studio album, “Finally Famous,” which sold 87,000 copies in its debut week and is currently up to over 325,000 sales.

Big Sean was able to have an impressive list of guest artists on his first album, including his boss Kanye West, label mate PHOTO BY ALEX MOWREY, DESIGN BY ANDY TREESE

John Legend, Pittsburgh based rapper Wiz Khalifa, and Chris Brown.

After the success of “Finally Famous,” Big Sean is about 70 percent done with his second album and will be releasing it after the G.O.O.D. Music label releases its compilation album, which is set to come out in the summer.

As Big Sean sat backstage with his Detroit Lions hat, gold chains on his neck, and rings on his finger, he thought back on getting to the point he’s at now and said that he’s glad he didn’t let his family down.

“I’m glad I didn’t let my mom or grandparents down,” he said. “I didn’t go to college, and they were a little bit depressed about that. I’m glad to see that they’re happy now.”

With a second album on the way and on the back end of a world tour, Big Sean said that all of the experiences that he’s had has made him a humbler person.

“There was one time when we were in Colorado and this kid was standing outside of my tour bus all day,” he said. “My manager finally brought him in and he didn’t have a ticket.

We gave him a ticket and then brought him backstage after the show.”

At this point in the story, Big Sean had the attention of every person in the media who was gathered around him in the back gym of the ARC. He continued on with his story.

“The kid came backstage and hugged me and started crying,” he said. “He was like 13 years old and he told me I was his hero and said that he wanted to make a better life for his family like I did for mine. So, I told him to get good grades and stay out of trouble and all of that stuff.”

The last part of Big Sean’s story was an ode to the fact that he does not fall under the banner of a stereotypical rapper.

“It was at that point in time that I realized if you got the mic and you got the crowd, then you have to make sure that you say something important, too,” he said. “People look up to you and you don’t want to steer an entire generation in the wrong direction.”

While Big Sean does have songs about money, sex and drugs that get played in clubs, he looks to empower people to go against the odds and do things that they’re told they can’t.

“I grew up being told I shouldn’t rap and I should do this or that,” he said. “I didn’t listen to any of them. When you understand the concept that the world literally revolves around you, then you can do anything. The only reason you can’t do something is because you’re your own worst enemy and didn’t think you could accomplish it anyway. Whatever you want to do, it’ll happen if you go after it.”

Campus Life

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May 4, 2012

Country star draws inspiration from father's career

By James Meyer Assistant Campus Life Editor

ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET

Randy Montana, the son of singer and songwriter Billy Montana, opened for Brantley Gilbert Sunday night in the ARC.

The line to enter the Aebersold Recreation Center reached the street in front of the Union by 6 p.m. Sunday night in anticipation for the Brantley Gilbert concert. By 6:15, the doors were opened and the fans began crowding in to get their places near the front of the stage. Though the crowd was clearly excited for Brantley Gilbert, some could be heard chanting “Randy,” which came as a humbling surprise to the opening act, Randy Montana.

Backstage, Montana was calm and soft-spoken, saving his energy for the stage.

Montana, who has toured with big names such as Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum, said that his main influence to be a country music performer was his father, singer and songwriter Billy Montana, whose songs have been recorded by Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and Jo Dee Messina.

“Growing up, music was always in the house,” Montana said. “Dad was always writing songs, getting record deals. So I just kind of grew up around it. When I went to college, I started a band and we started doing fraternity parties and that was my first time getting into playing live.”

At age 26, Montana said that he enjoys playing colleges because he can still relate to the college scene.

“I love doing the college

thing,” he said. “It’s so much fun. This whole run has been nothing but colleges. I love playing for college kids, just because I’m not far removed from that scene, and that was my favorite time to go to concerts.”

After taking the stage, Montana warmed up the crowd for the evening’s headliner with original music, including his single “1,000 Faces,” and covers of iconic artists. His own vocals were practically drowned out by the enthusiastic crowd singing along to Charlie Daniels’s “Long Haired Country Boy” and Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band’s “Turn the Page.”

While Montana said that country is the only style he has ever been interested in performing, some of his biggest influences are from the classic rock era.

“I’m kind of old school when it comes to actual influences,” he said. “I was a big fan of the Eagles and Tom Petty, that California country rock kind of thing. I’ve always liked my country and rock.”

Montana said that touring and playing live shows are his favorite things about life in the music business. As for complaints, he has only one.

“Honestly, it’s the rest, the sleep, I don’t get a lot of it,” he said. “It’s a lot of late nights and early mornings, and that’s the only thing I can ever complain about when it comes to playing music.”

Emphasizing the passion for

his music, Montana said that he never saw himself doing anything else.

“I don’t know what else I would do if it wasn’t for this,” he said. “Right before I signed a publishing deal, I was like, I’m going to go for this and I’m going hard. I had to make some money, so I went to fireman school. That was kind of my back up plan.”

The Antioch, Tenn. native reflected on playing in front of a variety of crowds and on his visit to Slippery Rock.

“I love a bar crowd, which is a little bit different, but you wind up playing for whatever crowd there is,” Montana said.

“This is a really pretty campus, and this is a great building to be playing in.”

As for his own favorite artists, Montana said that he loves Miranda Lambert, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and old country-western music.

“I love the Waylon Jennings stuff, that kind of old country,” he said. “It was always country, because country’s always what I grew up with, with my dad always writing songs.

Like most artists, Montana and his band have a pre-show ritual, though he was unable to indulge in it on a dry campus.

“We usually do a group shot of our favorite brown liquor,” Montana said. “Man, it’s usually Jack Daniels, unless we don’t get our hands on some of that.

A little pre-show shot, a couple of good go-get-em’s, and we’re off to the races.”

Singer-guitar player gains popularity for musical talent on Internet

By Madeline Williams Assistant Sports Editor

In a matter of weeks, 22-year-old art major, graphic design minor and singer-songwriter Josh Herbert has become a YouTube sensation.

Herbert has quickly become famous on YouTube, doing covers of “One Thing” and “What Makes You Beautiful” by the popular boy band One Direction, “Payphone”

by Maroon 5, and “Leavin’” by Jesse McCartney.

More famously known is his cover of “Boyfriend” by Justin Bieber, which has well over 275,000 hits and many site comments from teenage girls gushing over his good looks and smooth voice.

Although he said he writes a lot of his own music, Herbert has yet to put any of his own songs on his YouTube channel.

“I’ve only uploaded my covers of popular songs so far,” Herbert said.

“Covers are new to me, but I’ve been

putting my own spin and vibe into each song though, trying to make them my own. Once I get my name out there, I’ll start to put some of my own stuff up for everyone to hear.

I’m sticking with covers for now, but originals are on the way.”

Herbert taught himself to play a little on the guitar b e f ore h e started taking guitar lessons in 6th grade at Guitars Plus in Pittsburgh.

“I took lessons from a cool guy named Wayne Bartley,” Herbert said. “He was a total metal rocker and he was crazy good at guitar. He really taught me a lot and got me started.”

In 7th grade, Herbert and his

three close friends, Dave Belliveau, Dan Ruffolo, and Beau Bergman started a band called Restraining Order.

Years later, his longtime friend, Belliveau, created Dibs Music and became Herbert’s music producer.

“Josh and I have been w o r k i n g together for a long time now, and it’s almost surprising that he’s just starting to get noticed now,” Belliveau said.

“The kid was JOSH HERBERT made for music.

He has an amazing ability to write a catchy melody in seconds and a full song in literally minutes. Once you hear him sing, you’re hooked.”

Herbert attended North

Allegheny Senior High School, where in 2007, his hockey team was the PIAA state champion.

Outside of school and music making, he is also kept busy by playing ice hockey for SRU's team.

Although he loves singing and playing guitar, Herbert said being involved with music is very costly, especially being a typical college student.

“The music industry is definitely a huge investment,” Herbert said.

“I’ve accumulated nearly over $3,000 worth of electronics and instruments for recording and performing all my songs.”

His roommate, senior exercise science major Tyler Heidelbaugh, said that Herbert puts a lot of time into his music.

“Josh is always up in his room working hard on his tunes, usually late into the night,” Heidelbaugh said. “He has created a fan base that he has to please, and that requires a lot of time and effort on his part. I

know he’s going to do big things.”

Herbert said he is very grateful for his grandparents, Gerry and Patrick Scullion, and gets a lot of his musical motivation from them.

“My grandpa played drums and sang in a polka band before going off into the service, and I get a lot of my inspiration from him,” Herbert said. “My grandparents are my biggest supporters, and I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me.”

Herbert really appreciates everyone’s support of his musical dreams and said he plans to continue releasing music online for everyone to enjoy.

He also encourages everyone at Slippery Rock to check out the other music on his YouTube page – www. youtube.com/joshherbertmusic, and to follow his Twitter account @ joshherbert11 for upcoming music releases.

His music is also now available on iTunes.

Student selected as International Director of Colleges for Young Leaders Council

By Courtney Tietje Rocket Contributor

Sophomore Ryan Wirth, 19, was sitting in a back corner of a Pittsburgh restaurant with two of his friends Monday night when he got the email saying he had been chosen as one of twenty people to serve on an international board for the Best Buddies program.

The board, known as the Young Leaders Council, will consist of only eight college-aged students, and will act as a student board of directors, planning and managing new ideas and initiatives for the Best Buddies program. Ryan will travel to Indiana in July to meet with the board for the first time.

Not only was he offered a position on the board, he was also asked to help oversee all Best Buddies programs on college campuses as the college director.

“I was sitting there with two of my friends, and I started to read the email and smile, and [my friends]

just started cheering,” Wirth said.

“The Iron Bridge is a little more of an upscale, expensive, quiet place.

And we’re in this corner, and we’re just cheering.”

“The mission of Best Buddies is a global volunteer movement [for the] ready acceptance of people with disabilities – intellectual and developmental disabilities – and it’s in all fifty states and over fifty countries in the world,” he said. “The goal of Best Buddies is actually to be put out of business – that they won’t need a program like Best Buddies to have acceptance for a person with a disability, and they also try to teach people to focus more on ability and not disability.”

He first got involved with the program in middle school, due in part to a childhood friend with an intellectual disability whom Wirth met when he was in first grade.

“When I was in elementary school, I would always stay inside during recess to go play with him

in the special education room,” Wirth said. “I don’t know why. I just always did and had a blast.”

Since then, Wirth acted as president of his high school’s Best Buddies program and continued his involvement when he arrived at SRU two years ago.

Since he has begun volunteering with Best Buddies, Wirth has known that he would like to pursue a career with the program.

His position on the counsel along with an internship that he will be completing at a Pittsburgh Best Buddies office this summer may provide him with the opportunity and experience that he needs to do so.

“I would move anywhere in the country to have a job with Best Buddies,” Wirth said.

For now, though, he’s excited to be implementing some new ideas and activities on the SRU campus, including a Friendship Walk, an on-campus dance, and more.

Typically, the process of pairing

up begins during the fall semester, as student volunteers are paired with their buddies.

“On campus, we work with the Arc of Butler County, and that’s where our college buddies are from,” Wirth said. “Students are paired one-on-one with a buddy.

At the beginning of the year, we’ll match a college student with a person with a disability who’s over 18, and they have the requirement to talk to them once a week on the phone, through text, email, or some sort of communication, and then have two outings in the community a month. You really become a good friend with them, and that’s the point behind Best Buddies – friendship.”

Wirth said he sees the value in friendship and the bond between two buddies.

“That’s the absolute best feelingthat you could pass that on to someone,” he said. “And you start to understand why people do [the Best Buddies Program] and why

people interact with people with a disability and to understand that there’s much more than their disability. They’re just there to have a good time. It’s absolutely awesome.”

While Wirth said he agrees that the program isn’t for everyone, he urges students to check it out.

“You’ve got to try it,” he said. “If you’re timid about it, ask questions to people who are involved. Ask anybody who is involved on campus. It’s a whole different feeling. It’s hard to describe. [Your buddy] becomes a whole other aspect that you look forward to each month.”

Interested students can find out more information from the Special Education office in 114 McKay or by emailing srubestbuddies@ gmail.com.

“There are so many stories that I could just start telling,” Wirth said.

“I could talk for hours. [You’re] just out there having a blast, and you’ll never see bigger smiles.”

May 4, 2012

Campus Life

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“The Avengers,” “Prometheus” among list of highly-anticipated summer films

Jimmy Graner “Jimmy G's Rock Reviews” With more than 75 films being released this summer, it’s very hard for this Critic to only discuss some of them and share my intake on what’s to come. For the others, you’ll have to look them up for yourself.

For anyone who is not aware, 2012 is expected to be the biggest year for revenue at the box office. As of now, the revenue generated this year is totaling more than $3.16 billion dollars. That’s 17 percent above the total income that was brought in at the end of last year.

The current record sits at $10.6 billion and was achieved in 2009. This year will not only break the record, but will set an incredible feat in the movie industry.

If you’ve been paying attention to the media lately, then you probably noticed that everyone is hyping up for this weekend’s release of “The Avengers.” Out of all the movies being released this summer, let alone this year, this movie is on the top of my list.

The superheroes included in the film are Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury. They will join together and face the villain, Loki (Thor’s adoptive brother), in a fight to save the planet. This film should be well packed with action, drama, and adventure, as well as sci-fi. You should plan on seeing this film more than once.

The already talked-about “Battleship” film will be released later this month, starring popular actors like Alex Skarsgard and Liam Neeson, as well as popular artist Rihanna.

Telling by the trailer, the Navy is at sea, when a strange metal-looking structure rises up from the water and shoots mysteriouslooking missiles into the air.

For those of you who happened to play the classic board game when you were a child,

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS

Scarlet Johansson stars as Black Widow in the highly-anticipated superhero film, "The Avengers." Johansson stars in the film along with Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Josh Whedon, Samuel L. Jackson and Tom Hiddleston.

you might just find this film to be a little bizarre. With the actual movie time being well over two hours, one should get their money’s worth for going to see it.

Already growing a fan base overseas, this movie will either grab your attention or send you right back to your childhood.

Being released around the same time later this month is the hilarious comedy, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” Telling by the previews, anyone who is a parent and has went through life raising their children and enjoys laughing, this movie will make you do just that.

This romantic comedy is set in present day about the lives of five couples and how they go about their days raising their children.

Every day may go differently, and how each couple decides how it should go is up to them.

This may not look like a hit at the box office

Ask Ana

Facebook and Skype are always helpful.

Just keep in touch and maybe you’ll be able to make plans to go abroad and visit them again sometime! And with friends there, you’ll always have a place to stay.

Meanwhile, just enjoy the time you have left with them as best you can, and make memories you’ll cherish for a long time to make up for the distance.

“Ana Graham” Dear Ana, How do I cope with losing so many friends that I’ve made here studying abroad? I feel like crying thinking about all these wonderful people I may never see again. The same problem exists for some SRU peeps as well.

International Woes Dear Woes, The same way you had to learn to cope with being away from your friends back home. You’ll find new ways to communicate with them long-distance –

Dear Ana, How do I stop the burning urge of love and desire?

You Should Tell Your Girlfriend to Get Tested Dear Tested, You can stop the burning with many available over-the-counter creams, as well as with doctor-prescribed topical medication.

Dear Ana, We’ve all had classes that add next to nothing to our educational experience.

My one class has turned out to be one of those classes.

for most people, but for anyone who wants to know what being a parent is all about, then this is for you.

Last but not least, the film that is on a lot of people’s minds for this upcoming summer is “Prometheus.” The film is said to take place in the future, just before 2100. The director, Ridley Scott – who directed popular films like Alien, Blade Runner, and Black Hawk Down – is sure to bring thrill and excitement to this horror/action style sci-fi film.

A group of explorers is set out to explore and discover clues to the origins of mankind on earth. What they will discover will leave them breathless. If you have nothing planned on June 8 or after, go and see this movie. You will not be disappointed.

I’ve just explained four films that will be coming out if not later this month, sometime this summer. Although I can only explain a few, I still wanted to list the rest that are being

Is there any course of action that I (and my fellow disgruntled classmates) can take to either: 1) receive some sort of refund, 2) overhaul the course to make it meaningful and applicable, 3) remove the class from the required curriculum, or 4) set up a test-out option similar to the mandated computer literacy test?

My Time is Being Wasted Dear Time Wasted, It is that time of the semester again where the departments have the students fill out evaluation forms for their classes. These are meant to measure the effectiveness of the professor, although I would suggest also using them as a way to express your frustrations with the course overall.

One of the last questions is if there are any suggestions you as the student have for improving the course. If you get enough of your classmates to do the same, then this should put across a strong message to the department that something is wrong.

You could also go as a group to the head of the department and complain, which could be a good option because you will receive an immediate response (of some sort, at least) with face-to-face communication.

released later on in the upcoming months.

These include “Men in Black 3,” “Moonrise Kingdom,” “Snow White and the Huntsman,” “Piranha 3DD,” “Madagascar 3,” “Rock of Ages,” “Brave,” “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” “GI Joe: Retaliation,” “Magic Mike,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “Savages,” “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” “Ted,” “The Dark Knight Rises,” “The Bourne Legacy,” “Total Recall,” “Hope Springs,” “The Expendables 2,” and “Premium Rush.”

If you can believe it, all of the movies listed above are on my “to-see” list. So whether you’re into romance and horror or that epic action thriller, this summer will definitely keep you busy in seeing some great motion pictures.

Jimmy Graner is a sophomore journalism major, a film and media studies minor and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

reading her material in the short time she’s been writing.

How do I cope with losing you, er . . . I mean, my anonymous favorite columnist?

THIS ISN’T MY MOM, I SWEAR Dear Not my Mom, I’m going to tell you right now that there is no appropriate way for you to cope with losing me. I know I bring sunshine and unicorns and occasionally inexplicable feelings of rage in the hearts of oh-so-many readers. Just bear through the several steps of the mourning process, and by sometime in early-to-mid summer you’ll forget that this column existed, or that this newspaper exists, or that you even attend this university.

By August, you will just be a mindless zombie, partially because several months without school fries your brain, and partially because several months without me will cause you to lose your humanity.

I appreciate and love all of the readers who have sent me questions and enjoyed my column over the past school year. The reaction I’ve received has been a mixture of wonderful and awful, and I love it.

I want to thank everyone for a good year.

It was a pleasure to write this column!

Dear Ana, "Ana Graham" is a senior public relations My favorite columnist has just announced her last column. I’ve enjoyed major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

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Campus Life

May 4, 2012

Big Sean performs G.O.O.D. music

Top: Big Sean removes his shirt as he gets into his performance.

Top Left: Big Sean hanging out in Gym B of the ARC for pictures and interviews after the show.

Top Right: The crowd goes wild as Big Sean steps to the front of the stage.

Bottom Left: The crowd fills in and gets excited as the show gets closer to start time.

Bottom Right: After his performance, Big Sean throws up the peace sign and wishes the crowd a goodnight.

Photos and layout by: Alex Mowrey

May 4, 2012

Campus Life

Country Must Be Country Wide

Top: Brantley Gilbert signals to the crowd as he enters the stage.

Top Left: Opening act Randy Montana strums on his guitar.

Top Right: The crowd waves their arms to the beat of the song.

Bottom Left: Brantley throws up his signature hand gesture to the audience.

Bottom Right: Brantley returns to the stage for an encore performance.

Photos and layout by: Alex Mowrey

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May 4, 2012